CARL Research Reports 2013
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Item An evaluation of homeless women’s experiences of mental health services in Cork - a feminist perspective(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2013-10-04) Connolly, Trish; Sapouna, Lydia; Good Shepherd Aftercare Services; Civil Society OrganizationBackground to the study: Women’s experiences of mental health and homelessness are multi-faceted and undeniably intertwined. Yet both are social problems hidden from the political and social agenda despite calls from women’s groups and lobbyists (NWCI & Women’s Health Council) to change this. The ‘revolving door’ between mental health services and homelessness is a clear indication that services do not adequately respond to these women’s needs. The Good Shepherd Aftercare services (hereafter referred to as GSS) have taken the initiative to research this area due to an increasing number of their clients presenting with mental health difficulties. The GSS anticipates the findings will enable them to tailor services that would meet the client’s specific needs. Objectives: The overall objectives of this study are to firstly: review the literature relating to women’s mental health and homelessness from a feminist perspective. Secondly: to compile a list of mental health support services in the Cork area. Thirdly: to gain the perspectives of the women who access the GSS on what their experiences of mental health services were, to use this information to address ‘gaps’ in current service and identify areas where innovative change can be applied.Item A qualitative and quantitative study investigating staff attitudes to special educational needs pupils attending second-level education in Ireland(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2013-10) O'Sullivan, Moira; Fernandez, Eluska; National Parents and Siblings Alliance (NPSA); Civil Society OrganizationThe overriding objective of the research is to establish the current attitudes of educators towards special educational needs students with a view to identifying what changes in training and resourcing would result in more effective education of both mainstream and special educational needs students. It is hoped that this will highlight the experiences of educators and that it will reveal how their attitudes have been impacted by dealing with special needs students in mainstream classes. The principal concern of the research is twofold. Firstly, an effort will be made to reveal the existing attitudes of educators. Armed with this information, consideration will be afforded to whether or not the correct training programs and practices are being provided to staff either outside or within the school and, if they are, how effective are they? It is hoped that the answers to these questions will yield practical recommendations which could aid not only the educators, but the students and parents alike.Item 'If you use speed and then downers, would you be back to normal?’ An analysis of the perspectives of young people regarding alcohol, drugs and tobacco: a Togher Link Up case study(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2013-05-02) O'Dwyer, Louise; Leahy, Pat; Togher Link Up; Civil Society OrganizationThis research was conducted as part of a community-academic research link (CARL) initiative run within University College Cork and was carried out as part of a BSW 4 dissertation. The research was carried out in partnership with “Togher Link Up” which is a community based drug awareness programme which operates on the south side of Cork city. In order for society to plan effective services and interventions for children, they must first consider the varied perspectives of the children concerned. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990) states that children must be able to express their views and become included in decisions that affect their lives. It also states that children must be protected from the use of narcotic or psychotropic drugs. Qualitative research carried out amongst children offers them not only a channel to air their views but also an opportunity to teach us how to protect them through the analysis of their perspectives. The principal aim of this research is to utilise existing data collected by “Togher Link Up” to investigate the current perspectives of its young people regarding drugs, alcohol and tobacco and through this identify any potential gaps in the service provided currently and to tailor make the service to make it a more client led service.Item An exploration of the experience of post-natal depression support services in Cork(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2013-05-07) Murphy, Deirdre; Skinner, Helen; Sapouna, Lydia; PND Ireland; Civil Society OrganizationThis research was carried out of behalf of Post Natal Depression Ireland (PND Ireland) in association with Community Academic Research Links (CARL). This is an initiative in University College Cork (UCC) which works with Civic Society Organisations (CSO) by assisting them with research they wish to pursue. In this case the research will be facilitated by two final year Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students. The research explores the experiences of support services for mothers with post-natal depression in Cork. The research is a qualitative study based on interviews with mothers who have or had post-natal depression (PND) and professional support service providers. To facilitate this research a literature review of the social and medical constructions of post-natal depression was conducted. A previous study undertaken by (CARL) on behalf of PND Ireland in 2012, revealed the prevalence of PND and the importance of peer and professional supports in reducing the symptoms of PND. This study will make a distinctive contribution to research into how PND support services are experienced by mothers in Cork. In conducting personal interviews it will allow a depth of analysis based on the lived experiences of the mothers interviewed. It aims to identify what supports mothers with PND had access to, both professional and social supports, and whether the supports were beneficial or not. Building on this knowledge of what services are available the researchers seek to identify why support services are experienced in the manner in which they are.Item Age-friendly Bandon: the impact of transport on social participation in Bandon and the surrounding area(Community-Academic Research Links, University College Cork, 2013-04-29) Gaule, Yvonne; McCaughren, Simone; Network of Social Groups for Older Adults; Civil Society OrganizationIn supportive and enabling living environments, older people are a valuable resource to their families, communities and economies (WHO, 2007). In accordance with the World Health Organisation, an age-friendly community encourages opportunities for health, social participation and security in order to enhance the quality of life of people as they age. On a practical level, a community that is age-friendly adapts its structures and services to be inclusive and accessible to older people with varying capacities and needs. To understand what adaptations are required to make a community age-friendly it is necessary to consult and collaborate with older members of the community. Using a bottom-up participatory approach, this study looks at the impact of transport on social participation for older people living in Bandon and the surrounding area. A qualitative survey was used to ascertain the views and opinions of thirty-seven members of the seven social groups, who together form the Network of Social Groups for Older Adults. The results of this study are combined to form a number of recommendations, which may assist in ensuring that Bandon and the surrounding area are age-friendly in terms of transport facilities for older people.